Keep your pets safe around fireworks and parades this summer: Experts

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As fireworks ring out across the nation on the Fourth of July and then again in Utah on Pioneer Day, it is important to enjoy the festivities while also remembering that this is a frightening and potentially dangerous time for pets.

According to Pet Amber Alert, there is a 30-60% increase in lost pet reports from July 4-6 every year. Pets get scared due to fireworks and other festivities, and they can run away.

Why do fireworks bother pets so much?

ABC4.com spoke with Kassitty Knight, the owner of Pet Wants Layton. She explained why fireworks make pets so anxious and afraid.

“Fireworks are really unpredictable,” she said. “They’re loud, and the vibrations are really strong where dogs and pets feel all of that more intensely than we do. That can definitely inflict fear and anxiety within them.”

She said that most pet owners are aware of the signs of stress and anxiety in their pets, so they should already know what to look out for, but some signs of stress in dogs include panting, trembling, hiding, and looking to their people for constant reassurance.

If your pet is bothered by fireworks, Knight gave the following suggestions of how to make them more comfortable. “Get them out of that situation, get them to a room where they’re more comfortable, TV on, music, something that dulls the sound of the fireworks, that’s not so aggressive for them,” she said.

How to keep your pets safe

Best Friends Animal Society provided some tips to keep your pets safe around fireworks, parades, and barbeques.

Know when fireworks shows are scheduled and bring all pets indoors ahead of time. Put them in a quiet room with all the windows closed and curtains drawn, Best Friends said. Give them their favorite toys, bed, or blanket. They also echoed Knight’s advice of turning on music or the television for background noise.

Leave your pets at home. Many of the things at parades or fireworks shows are stressful for them and can be dangerous — crowds, explosions, marching bands, fire trucks, etc.

If you’re setting off fireworks at home, clean up all trash and any leftover materials promptly before letting pets back outside.

Avoid feeding your pets scraps from your barbeques, and instead give them things like frozen pet-safe fruits and vegetables like watermelon, blueberries, or carrots.

Make sure your pets are wearing ID tags with your current contact information in case they do run off and become lost.

Here are a few more tips on keeping your dogs safe around summer activities from Camp Bow Wow.

• Parades: If your dog is comfortable in crowds, find a quieter viewing spot early, and keep them leashed and have plenty of water.
• Fireworks shows: Leave your dogs at home, and provide comfort tools like anxiety vests, pheromone spray, and a lick mat to reduce stress.
• Barbeques: Create a dog-safe area with shade and fresh water, and keep the dogs away from grills, hot surfaces, and toxic foods (onions, grapes, etc.)
• Block parties: Keep dog leashed and give them space from crowds, bring water, and check pavement temps to protect their paws. Be ready to leave if they get stressed.
• Water activities: Use canine life vests and always supervise them in the water. Make sure they don’t drink pool or lake water by bringing fresh water, and check temps of sand/pool decking to make sure they don’t burn their paws.